Strange, Personal Encounters with Jesus

The weeks following Jesus’ resurrection are some of the strangest, most beautiful stories in all of Scripture. Unpredictable. Mysterious. But intentional.

If I were Jesus, I would have appeared on a stage somewhere, glowing with glory, surrounded by angels, broadcasting my once-and-for-all “I Told you so”  to the religious leaders who had killed me. But I’m not Jesus.

Instead, the Gospels give us a bizarre and deeply personal collection of encounters. Each one different, yet all revealing to us that Jesus loves to encounter his children. 

Let’s look at a few of these moments from John: 

Mary Magdeline (John 20:11-18): 

Most of the time in Scripture, when people see angels, they fall to the ground in fear and awe. Not Mary. When she returns to the tomb, even two angels can’t pull her out of her grief. She is so overwhelmed with sorrow that she doesn’t recognize the risen Jesus standing in front of her.

“Why are you weeping?” He asks. Rather than belittling her for her grief, he allows her, even for a moment, to process her pain and disappointment. 

This is how Jesus chooses to spend his first minutes post-resurrection: not in celebration, but in compassion. Not with the crowds, but with the one closest to his tomb. Why? Because He draws near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

He calls her: “Mary.” And with a single word—her name—she recognizes him. Grief turned to joy, in a strange but simple moment. 

He encounters us in our grief.

Thomas (John 20:24-28): 

Thomas didn’t just doubt, he refused to believe. Even after the others had seen Jesus, he made it clear. “Unless I see the nail marks, I won’t be convinced.” 

Jesus waits eight days for Thomas, and then shows up. 

He could’ve left him in his doubt. He could’ve said, “Alright, you don’t believe? Let me go see a disciple who does.” 

But Jesus doesn’t leave us in our doubt. He meets us in it. 

Even though he had already told them, again and again, that he would rise, Jesus still reveals himself to them. 

He doesn’t shame Thomas. He shows him his scars. He invites him to move beyond what he understands, into faith. 

Jesus encounters us in our doubt.

Peter (John 21:15-19): 

After Peter did what he swore he’d never do, denying Jesus three times, he ran back to his former life on a fishing boat—maybe driven there out of shame and disappointment in himself.

But even as he runs, Jesus meets him there on the shore, ready to cook breakfast. He doesn’t pretend the failure didn’t happen. Instead, He offers Peter a new moment, one for every denial.

“Do you love me?” 

Jesus doesn’t let Peter’s worst moment define him. He gives him a new one. A better one. He restores him, not just to friendship, but to purpose.

And He does the same for us.

He won’t let us live with the shame of our past sins clouding our vision. He always gives us opportunities to say “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 

Jesus encounters us in our shame.

Expect Him to Encounter You in Your ________ (fill in the blank) 

You know what would’ve changed everything for the disciples? If they had been expecting Him. He had, after all, told them he was coming back. Jesus was always going to show up. 

Maybe you’re like the disciples, unsure of how he’s going to encounter you next. But you can expect him to encounter you, because he loves encountering his children. 

So this week, ask Him:

• Jesus, where have You already shown up in my life and I’ve missed it? (Like Mary in the garden)

• Where have I been stuck in doubt, and how can I step into faith? (Like Thomas asking for proof)

• What mindset from my past is keeping me from walking in my purpose? (Like Peter returning to what was familiar)

• Where in my life should I begin expecting you to move?
  

He’s ready to meet you right where you are.

In your grief.

In your doubt.

In your shame.

In your joy.

Jeshua is the founder of One 24 Creative, a digital marketing agency that helps mental health organizations build better online strategies. He's also a board member at The Table Boston Church. He's passionate about building the church, building business, and telling stories. Read more from him on his Substack.

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